Friday Netflix Festival: South of the Border, Down Mexico Way

This weekend, sit back, relax with a tropical drink, and savor these films from our southern neighbor. Mexico has a daring and vibrant film culture, and these are just a few of the standout Mexican films you can watch on Netflix Instant right now!

Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001) It’s hard for me to express just how much I love this movie. This film marked the first time I had seen Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna and both are magical as best friends who go on a road trip with an older woman. This film is truly sexy, but also smart, and quiet. This remains my favorite film from future Oscar winner and Gravity helmer, Alfonso Cuaron. It is definitely worth watching again or seeing for the first time.

Like Water for Chocolate (1992) This sumptuous feast is sure to make you hungry. This vibrant and poetic film tells the story of a woman who magically infuses food with her emotions. It’s intense, epic and unforgettable.

Instructions Not Included (2013) This is not a great film. It’s sappy and sentimental and way too long, but man do I love it. Eugenio Derbez is playboy who gets saddled with his infant daughter after an old flame leaves her behind. He eventually moves to Hollywood to become a stuntman so he can provide for his little girl. That’s only a fraction of the story (yes it’s too long) but this film is deeply funny and harkens back to fun 80s comedies like Mr. Mom and Three Men and a Baby.

El Infierno (2013) There are a lot of films about the Mexican drug trade, but this one manages to rise above cheap violence and tell the story of a conflicted man. The film relies on humor to humanize its subjects but doesn’t shy away from the realities of small town Mexico.

 

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